When Stephen was put on trial, he was charged with speaking against Moses, God, the temple and the law. Under the power of the Holy Spirit, Stephen answers all of these charges. He explains that Moses was a forerunner of Christ rejected by the people. The holy place was merely a shadow of the true and eternal temple not made with hands. The law was our schoolmaster, showing us our depravity and need for a Redeemer. All of these things pointed to the fullness of God in the person of Jesus and just as the patriarchs rejected the forerunners, the present council had rejected Jesus and now the messenger Stephen. At times, our gospel witness will be on trial in the same way. Will you be as faithful as Stephen?
On Trial
January 28, 2024 • Wes Morris
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Stephen
A Great Persecution
February 4, 2024 • Wes Morris
Upon being cut to the heart by the truth of Stephen’s testimony, the crowds gnashed their teeth at him, covered their ears and drove him out of the city and stoned him to death. As the Spirit of God is at work in the lives of believers to convict the world of sin, righteousness and the judgment to come, people still cover their ears and gnash their teeth. When we bring attention to Jesus and our lives are a reflection of His, we can expect to be treated like Jesus. However, as Stephen gazed into the heavens as his life was fading away, he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God ready to receive his spirit. In God’s divine irony, the very man cheering the violent death of Stephen would one day prove to be his successor as a great gospel preacher. Saul of Tarsus.
The Face of an Angel
January 21, 2024 • Wes Morris
Stephen was a man described as full of faith, the Holy Spirit, grace and power. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Stephen possessed the kind of faith that trusted wholeheartedly in the One who commanded his eternal destiny. Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit, empowering him to accomplish great wonders for the Lord. The Bible warns us to not quench or grieve the Holy Spirit, as this will cost us the opportunity to be used of God in all the ways He intended. When we are fully surrendered to the Lord, it will show in our conduct as well as our countenance. When they gazed upon Stephen’s face, they saw him having a face as that of an angel.